CURRENT Marburg-Mt Crosby Thunder Cricket Club president Troy Schroder had little interest in becoming an official when the two clubs merged in 2013.
However, he soon changed his mind exploring the traditions and shared development goals that “good people” in both clubs had joining forces.
In his fifth year as club president, Schroder remembers how friends from Marburg and Mt Crosby decided it was time to unite.
“We were both very small clubs. We had a handful of seniors and juniors,” Schroder said.
“There were some kids from Marburg and Mt Crosby who were really good mates with each other, mainly through school and cricket as well.”
Schroder said it was agreed to form a bigger club to provide a stronger network for young players.
Schroder originally played for the Mt Crosby Sharks from 2009 as a junior.
As he entered the senior ranks, he joined the committee in 2015 and became president in 2017.
The Marburg club was established in 1946 under the guidance of life members such as Merv Steinhardt, John Verrenkamp, Allan Doyle, Kevin Rohl, Kerry McNamara, Danny Bowden and Barry Steinhardt.
The country club initially had a home ground at the Marburg Showgrounds when the Mustangs were part of the former Ipswich and West Moreton Cricket Association competition.
The other club involved in the merger played on a field near the Mt Crosby Weir, having earlier links to Colleges Crossing cricket.
“The merger has been very smooth,” Schroder said. “It was very easy because both clubs knew each other very well.”
In recent years, under the new Cricket Ipswich structure, Thunder players have enjoyed games on two fields at the Tivoli Sporting Complex – in addition to their original Mt Crosby cricket venue.
Schroder is excited about expanding a new base next season at Fernvale Sports Park – one of the growth areas the club is targeting.
“There’s a lot of young families in Fernvale now, a lot of potential out there,” Schroder said.
“The strategy with our junior path before Covid hit, we were looking at 50 kids a session. Then Covid hit and we had floods and it was raining.
“We’ve been trying to re-establish that [program] this year.”
Schroder, who works as a groundsman at Fernvale State School, looks after Thunder’s pitches. He appreciates help from club supporters like Kel Janke.
Thunder entered three senior teams this season – in First, Second and Third Grade. The club was also involved in the Baxter Cup competition.
Young guns Lucas Sefont and Braydon Armstrong are co-captains of the top grade side, which has an average age of 19.
Although the senior sides have battled this season, Schroder said the club continued to back its major approach of working with Queensland Cricket and schools.
“We’ve always been a development club,” he said.
“We’ve always brought our juniors through the ranks into seniors.
“We encourage new kids to play cricket … go out and play with your mates and have a bit of fun and have a laugh.”
A major positive for Thunder this season has been the performance of junior teams.
Thunder’s Level 2A and 2C sides were in finals’ contention as the latest season neared an end.
Former Marburg supporter Nathan Turner and Thunder recruit Thomas Hall have been coaching the players of the future.
While the merged Thunder club is looking to future opportunities, Schroder said past Marburg and Mt Crosby traditions would remain important.
